Reviews

National Post – December 23, 2006 “… behind-the-scenes exposé of how the Right united and the Conservatives climbed back to power. It is chock full of insider information that will be devoured by political junkies of all stripes …. revealing is the examination of Peter MacKay's victory in the 2003 PC leadership race and the events leading to the creation of the new party … titillating details about the backroom decision-making process… helpful contribution to the history of one of the most fascinating periods in Canadian politics in a long time.” By Adam Daifallah: co-author of Rescuing Canada's Right (John Wiley & Sons).

Full Circle was one of three recommended political books on Sounds Like Canada (CBC Radio One) with Shelagh Rogers and regular book contributor, Peter Kavanagh: “... Bob Plamondon is a really great public affairs analyst … (his book) is an examination of the last 15 years in the life of conservative politics through all of its manifestations… he dissects the story in a detailed and fascinating fashion primarily because he is a really great writer … (he tells us) how we got to the stage where Stephen Harper is Prime Minister.”

Sun Media columnist Greg Weston puts Full Circle on his Christmas list of “… favourite authors” and “terrific new books.” “Full Circle: Death and Resurrection in Canadian Conservative Politics was this season's big surprise, far exceeding expectations with a revealing dissection of the machinations and backroom wars that forged the Conservative party. Author Bob Plamondon has spent most of his adult life in politics, giving him a perspective well worth the read.” (Greg Weston is the author of Reign of Terror).

Policy Options December 2006-January 2007 : In the most comprehensive review to date, Conservative icon Geoff Norquay extols Full Circle as “groundbreaking.” Norquay is well-positioned to know: he has been a communications and policy adviser to Conservative leaders Joe Clark, Brian Mulroney, Jean Charest and Stephen Harper over the last 25 years.
“(Plamondon) describes in detail for the first time the backroom negotiations that led to the deal between Peter MacKay and David Orchard to deliver MacKay the leadership at the 2003 PC Convention. He also takes the reader deep inside the Alliance-PC negotiations later that year which led to the creation of the new Conservative Party: the choice of the emissaries from both sides, the ups and downs of the merger talks, and the caucus management challenges the leaders faced along the way. And all of it is backed by colourful quotes from many of the key participants ... The Conservatives’ 13 years in the wilderness are perhaps best understood through the relationships among the key protagonists, and here Plamondon really shines ...Plamondon closes the book with the lesson that every conservative should take from the past 13 years.”
L. Ian MacDonald, editor of Policy Options, says this about Full Circle: "It's one of the most important, and surprising, political books of the season."

Paul Jackson from the Calgary Sun calls Full Circle, “masterful” and “enthralling.” Jackson says, “Plamondon offers so many insights into recent Canadian politics, this book reads like a thriller … This should be read by every Canadian. Or, at least, every Canadian who votes.”

Independent Booksellers Selection . Full Circle is in the essential catalogue of quality titles -- Fall 2006 gift guide.

Susan Delacourt of the Toronto Star writes … "(Full Circle) is a solid, detailed chronicle of the players and the events surrounding some stormy years for the Tories. Describing it as 'meticulous,' however, doesn't do it justice — it's thorough and highly readable to boot ... Plamondon's account of Belinda Stronach's defection to the Liberals, and its effect on her then partner, now Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay … is the most complete tale we've seen to date. … in-depth about what was going on in the backrooms through the merger of Canada's right and the emergence of this Conservative government.

Former Deputy Prime Minister Don Mazankowski says, "Full Circle is a must read for everyone who has a fascination for the intricacies of party politics in Canada.

Montréal Gazette columnist L. Ian MacDonald calls Full Circle one of the best political books of the year. The author of four political books and a long-time Tory insider, MacDonald praised Full Circle as both “rewarding (and) informative ... a lot of important information comes to light for the first time… . the Plamondon book is a revelation, quite the most pleasant surprise of the season.”

The Globe and Mail says Full Circle is: "a meticulous, blow-by-blow account of the road to the merger that captures both the tension and tedium of back-room politics ...Plamondon is at his best when he is debunking popular myths and spin ...He draws an engrossing portrait of the main protagionists, as well as the bit players, which emerges from his factual account of their behaviour than from occasional stabs at creative writing. Plamondon's forte is reporting, not coloratura…”

Ken Rockburn, host of CPAC's Talk Politics said Full Circle is "jam-packed with details... fascinating reading for anybody who is a political junkie ... I really enjoyed it."

Ottawa Magazine makes Full Circle its "Editor's Top Pick ... Best of Fall ... one of the books everybody will be talking about this season."

In Embassy, Canada's foreign policy newsweekly, Christoper Guly says, "Plamondon provides some fascinating information and revelations."

Bruce's Book Depository (1460 CJOY) notes that, "Plamondon … a real Tory insider … conducted tons of interviews with many of the major players from the mid-80’s through to present day… Full Circle is a comprehensive history ... Plamondon brings the story of the Reform/Alliance/P.C./C.P. into focus with the benefit of having access to (most) of the major players.